Table of Contents
Background:
The purpose of the derogation of competitors instrument is to measure for the likelihood of persons to form derogation tactics for competitor. Verbal signals are sometimes used to manipulate the impressions that people form about oneself and others. For the goal of self-enhancement, one can manipulate impressions either by elevating oneself or derogating others. Five hypothesis about derogation of same sex competitors were generated from an evolutionary model of human-mate competition. These hypothesis focused on sex-differences in the importance that humans attach to external resources, rank, achievements, physical prowess, reproductive value, and fidelity.
Psychometrics:
See the associated key references.
Author of Tool:
Buss, D.
Key references:
Buss, D. M., & Dedden, L. (1990). Derogation of competitors. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7, 395-422. Schmitt, D. P., & Buss, D. M. (1996). Mate attraction and competitor derogation: Context effects on perceived effectiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 1185-1204. Bleske-Rechek, A., & Buss, D.M. (2006). Sexual strategies pursued and mate attraction tactics deployed. Personality and Individual Differences, 40, 1299-1311.
Buss, D. M., & Dedden, L. (1990). Derogation of competitors. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7, 395-422.
chmitt, D. P., & Buss, D. M. (1996). Mate attraction and competitor derogation: Context effects on perceived effectiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 1185-1204.
Bleske-Rechek, A., & Buss, D. M. (2006). Sexual strategies pursued and mate attraction tactics deployed. Personality and Individual Differences, 40, 1299-1311.
Primary use / Purpose:
Measure for the likelihood of persons to form derogation tactics for competitors.
Competitor Derogation Tactics
(seven point scale, Never to Sometimes to very often) How often have you done this to derogate a member of the same sex?
- I played a practical joke on the other
- I made the other male seem dumb.
- I spread false rumors about the other
- I said the other male was insensitive to other people’s
- I told her the other male was poor.
- I called the other male a
- I said the other male cheats on women.
- I said that none of the other guys like the other male.
- I laughed at the other male’s
- I scoffed at the other male’s
- I told her the other male was physically
- I told her the other male had gross habits.
- I physically defeated the other
- I told her the other male was stupid.
- I told her the other male used people, especially
- I said the other male was boring or uninteresting.
- I said the other man was a
- I said the other male never
- I made fun of the other male’s
- I ignored the other male’s
- I got the other male
- I beat him up.
- I pretended to control or dominate the other male in front of women.
- I said the other male attracted men.
- I laughed at the other male’s
- I said the other male was an alcoholic.
- I mentioned that the other male’s clothes were
- I mentioned that the other male drove a poor
How often have you done this to derogate a member of the same sex?
- I told the other male that he looked good before going out, when he actually looked
- I told her that the other male might be
- I told her that the other male was a
- I told her that the other male got out of hand at parties.
- I openly ridiculed the other male.
- I tried to outshine the other male in sports.
- I made smart sarcastic little remarks that seemed
- I was very attentive to her when the other male was
- I told her that the other male was ugly.
- I told her that the other male had a social disease.
- I put down the other male’s intelligence.
- I talked about the other male’s low level of cleanliness.
- I told other people that the other male just wanted to get laid.
- I told her how selfish and uncaring the other male
- I made fun of the other male because he got sick while
- I told people the other male was a
- I told her that the other male had gotten a woman pregnant
- I said that the other male had no goals in life.
- I said that the other male had too many past girlfriends.
- I criticized the other male’s lack of athletic
- I said the other male was fat and
- I said the other male was inconsiderate toward women.
- I said that the other male had a very serious
- I made fun of the size/shape of the other male’s
- I laughed at the other male’s make-up.
- I made derogatory remarks about the other male’s
- I told girls that the other male was
- I said that the other male was physically
- I said that the other male was emotionally
- I laughed at the other male’s
- I told everyone that the other male slept around a lot. How often have you done this to derogate a member of the same sex?
- I said that the other male was just a
- I said that the other male couldn’t stay loyal to just one
- I said that the other male was
- I said that the other male was an
- I said the other male only wanted money.
- I mentioned that the other male lacked ambition.
- I said the other male led women on.
- I told people that the other male
- I said that the other male wouldn’t put out.
- I said that the other male was out to use
- I said that the other male was
- I said that the other male was loose.
- I told her that the other male had no money.
- I said that the other male nagged too
- I said that the other male cried all the
- I said that the other male was undisciplined.
- I told her the other male was sleazy.
- I said the other male was incredibly
- I said that the other male flirted with numerous women.
- I called the other male rich and
- I told her that the other male was a virgin.
- I told her that everyone else hated the other
- I told her that the other male was very self-centered.
- I pointed out how poorly the other male would do